When working with data in Google Sheets, it’s not uncommon to encounter situations where you need to display two different sets of data on the same chart, each with its own scale. This is particularly useful when comparing two metrics that have different units or scales, such as revenue and customer count. Having two y-axes on a single chart can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the data and facilitate better analysis. However, Google Sheets doesn’t provide a straightforward way to achieve this by default. In this guide, we’ll explore the steps to get two y-axes on Google Sheets, enabling you to create more informative and insightful charts.
Overview
This tutorial will walk you through a step-by-step process to create a chart with two y-axes in Google Sheets. We’ll cover the preparation of your data, setting up the chart, and customizing the axes to display the desired information. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to create a chart that effectively communicates the relationships between your data, even when working with different scales.
What You’ll Learn
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to:
- Prepare your data for a dual-axis chart
- Create a chart with two y-axes in Google Sheets
- Customize the axes to display the desired information
Let’s get started and explore the world of dual-axis charts in Google Sheets!
How to Get Two Y-Axis on Google Sheets
Google Sheets is a powerful tool for data analysis and visualization. One of the most common requirements in data visualization is to display two different sets of data on the same chart, with each set having its own Y-axis. This is particularly useful when you want to compare two different metrics or variables that have different scales. In this article, we will explore how to get two Y-axis on Google Sheets.
Why Do You Need Two Y-Axis?
Sometimes, you may want to compare two different metrics or variables that have different scales. For example, you may want to compare the sales revenue (in dollars) with the number of units sold. In this case, having two Y-axis can help you to visualize the data more effectively.
Step-by-Step Guide to Get Two Y-Axis on Google Sheets
Here’s a step-by-step guide to get two Y-axis on Google Sheets:
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Select the data range that you want to plot on the chart. Make sure that the data is organized in a way that the first column is the X-axis data and the next two columns are the Y-axis data.
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Go to the “Insert” menu and select “Chart”. This will open the chart editor.
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In the chart editor, select the “Combo chart” option. This will allow you to create a chart with two Y-axis. (See Also: How To Make Google Sheets Columns Bigger)
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In the “Series” section, select the first Y-axis data and choose the “Line chart” option.
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In the “Series” section, select the second Y-axis data and choose the “Column chart” option.
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Click on the “Customize” tab and select the “Series” option.
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In the “Series” section, click on the three vertical dots next to the first Y-axis data and select “Duplicate series”. This will create a copy of the first Y-axis data.
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Rename the duplicated series to something like “Y-Axis 2”.
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Click on the three vertical dots next to the “Y-Axis 2” series and select “Axis”.
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In the “Axis” section, select the “Right axis” option. This will move the second Y-axis to the right side of the chart.
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Click on the “Insert” button to insert the chart into your Google Sheet. (See Also: How To Add A Title Row In Google Sheets)
Tips and Variations
Here are some tips and variations to customize your chart further:
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You can customize the appearance of the chart by changing the colors, fonts, and other settings.
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You can add more Y-axis data by duplicating the series and following the same steps.
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You can change the type of chart for each Y-axis data, such as using a line chart for one Y-axis and a column chart for the other.
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You can add a title to the chart and customize the axis labels.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Here are some common issues and troubleshooting tips:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| The second Y-axis is not appearing on the right side of the chart. | Make sure that you have selected the “Right axis” option in the “Axis” section. |
| The chart is not displaying the correct data. | Check that the data range is correct and that the data is organized correctly. |
| The chart is not displaying the correct axis labels. | Check that the axis labels are correct and that they are not overlapping. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting two Y-axis on Google Sheets is a powerful way to visualize and compare different metrics or variables. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a chart with two Y-axis and customize it to suit your needs. Remember to troubleshoot any common issues that you may encounter and to experiment with different chart types and customizations.
Recap: In this article, we learned how to get two Y-axis on Google Sheets by using the combo chart option and duplicating the series. We also learned how to customize the chart further and troubleshoot common issues.